Electronic-pneumatic yarn plug control system for yarn texturing device

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and process are disclosed for controlling yarn plug location in a stuffer tube of a steam jet texturing device near at least one port near the discharge end of the stuffer tube. The port issues a jet of fluid, such as air. Back pressure of the jet of fluid as it impinges on the yarn indicates the presence or absence of the yarn plug beneath the port. Each port communicates with a pressure sensor controller which actuates a control valve which controls the flow of steam to the steam jet.

United States Patent Vermeer et al.

[ Dec. 11, 1973 [5 ELECTRONIC-PNEUMATIC YARN PLUG 3,256,582 6/196613111165611 28/13 CONTROL SYSTEM FOR YARN 3,343,240 9/1967 Parmeggianiet al. 28/l.3 3,353,242 11/1967 Schrader 28/l.7 TEXTURING DEVICE3,388,440 6/1968 Stanley 28/l.7 [75] Inventors: Dick Charles Vermeer;James MacKnight Washington, both of Chester, Va. Primary Examiner-LouisK. Rimrodt [73] Assignee: Allied Chemical Corporation, Att0mey RlchardAnderson at Morristown, NJ.

[22] Filed: Sept. 18, 1972 211 App]. No.: 289,926 [57] ABSTRACT RelatedApplication Data Apparatus and process are disclosed for controlling[63] Continuation-in-part 6f Ser. N0. 239,176, March 29, y rn pl glocation in a stuffer tube of a steam jet tex- 1972, abandoned. turingdevice near at least one port near the discharge end of the stuffertube. The port issues a jet of fluid, [52] US. Cl. 28/l.7, 28/72.11 suchas air. Back pressure of the jet of fluid as it im- [51] Int. Cl D02g1/12 pinges on the yarn indicates the presence or absence [58] Field ofSearch 28/13, 1.4, 1.7, of the yarn plug beneath the port. Each portcommu- 28/7211, 72.12, 72.14 nicates with a pressure sensor controllerwhich actuates a control valve which controls the flow of steam [56]References Cited to the steam jet.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,166,821 1/1965 Furlong; 28/1.7 14 Claims, 10Drawing Figures 43 44 A K 5/ I 54 PATENTED DEC 1 1 I975 SHEET 10? 4ELECTRONIC-PNEUMATIC YARN PLUG CONTROL SYSTEM FOR YARN TEXTURING DEVICECROSS REFERENCE TO RELATION APPLICATION This application is acontinuation-in-part of Ser. No. 239,176, filed Mar. 29, 1972, abandonedon filing of this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to yarn texturingdevices, more specifically, a yarn plug control system for yarntexturing devices.

Texturing yarn by directing heated yarn in a current of heated fluidsuch as steam against a yarn plug in a stuffer tube and discharging theyarn is known in the art. For example, see U. S. Pat. No. 3,409,956 toLongbottom et al. hereby incorporated by reference. In stuffer boxcrimping, sensing of the yarn plug in the stuffer box is also wellknown, either to control wind-up speed or to control feed roll speed.For example, see U. S. Pat. No. 3,200,466 to Duga et al., U. S. Pat. No.3,280,444 and U. S. Pat. No. 3,388,440, both to Stanley. However, noneof these prior art patents teach the control of the heated fluid (suchas steam) by means of sensing back pressure of a fluid jet issuing fromone or more ports near the discharge end of a stuffer tube to controlyarn plug location.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The process of this invention is theimprovement of plug control when texturing yarn by directing heated yarnin a current of heated fluid against a yarn plug in a stuffer tube anddischarging the yarn. The improve ment comprises controlling thelocation of the end of the yarn plug at the discharge end of the stuffertube by sensing the plug end location with at least one jet of fluidissuing from at least one port near the discharge end of the stuffertube. Each port communicates with a pressure sensor controller whichactuates a control valve which in turn controls the flow of the heatedfluid such as steam. The jets of fluid are preferably air. The heatedfluid is preferably steam.

The apparatus of this invention controls the location of a plug oftextured yarn near the discharge of a stuffer tube, yarn being texturedas described above. The apparatus comprises (a) a stuffer tube having(b) at least one port, issuing a jet of fluid, preferably air. Each portcommunicates with (c) a pressure sensor controller, so that when theyarn plug is located to be impinged by the jet of fluid issuing from theport, the resulting back pressure can be sensed by the pressure sensorcontroller. Also, there is (d) means to transmit the output from thepressure sensor controller to actuate a (e) flow control means (such asa valve) in (f) the heated fluid supply means such as a steam line. Bypressure sensor controller is meant any kind of electrical, electronic,pneumatic, fluid or other type of pressure sensitive control device suchas, preferably, a fluidic amplifier with fixed gain, adjustable bias andrate controlled output relay,

or pressure sensor switches, or pneumatic gauging devices.

Thus, the yam plug end is located near the port or ports in the stuffertube by controlling the flow of heated fluid (steam) supply meansresponsive to the back pressure of the fluid jet issuing from the port.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the pressure sensorcontroller is a fluidic amplifier with fixed gain, adjustable bias andrate controlled output relay, commercially available from GeneralElectric Corporation. Two ports in the side of the stuffer tube near thedischarge end communicate through a manifold having multiple orifices,preferably five, to the inside of the stuffer tube. The ports arearranged with one near the discharge end of the stuffer tube and oneonly slightly farther away from the discharge end. The port nearest thedischarge end is connected to the controller. The other port isconnected to a source of constant pressure air (0.01 to 1 psi). Thevariance in the back pressure is senses through the near port andcommunicated through the connecting air conduit to the controller, whichin turn regulates the steam control valve on the steam line to thestuffer tube. Thus, variance in the yarn plug location near the ports issensed and controlled by continuous proportional changes in the valve inthe steam line.

In another two port embodiment, a pressure sensor switch connected tothe port nearest the discharge end is set so that the back pressureshould indicate no yarn plug in front of the port. Back pressure occurswhen the yarn plug appears before the port, the pressure sensor switchthen actuates the control valve to control the steam flow to cause theplug to retract. The pressure sensor switch connected to the portfurthest from the discharge end of the stuffer tube is'set to beactuated only when the yarn plug is absent from in front of the port.This pressure sensor switch would also actuate the steam control valvein the steam line to correct the steam flow and bring the plug back infront of the port if the plug should get too short.

In a one port embodiment of this invention another control set up isused. Only one port is present in the stuffer tube. This portcommunicates to a pneumatic gauging device such as the G. E. Qualiguardcontrol unit. The gauging device is set to send signals when the backpressure occurs above or below certain pre-set limits. Thus, as the yarnmoves in and out from beneath the single port and back pressure changes,signals sent from the control pneumatic gauging device can drive a servomotor to open or close the steam valve in the control line in eitherdirection to control the location of the yarn plug in the stuffer tube.This single port can also be external to the stuffer tube to sense theyarn plug as it exits beyond the discharge end of the'stuffer tube. Thesingle port can also be recessed in the stuffer tube and elongated, orrecessed in the stuffer tube and communicating with the stuffer tubethrough a manifold having a series of hole orifices opening into thestuffer tube.

The process is preferably run at constant yarn removal rates from theplug. These apparati and method give good plug control and offer noimpediments to catch yarn filaments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic showing the twoport embodiment of the pneumatic-electronic plug location control deviceof this invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic showing a one port embodiment of the plug locationcontrol device of this invention with the port external to the end ofthe stuffer tube.

FIG. 3 is a schematic showing another one port embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side view in cross section of a single port embodiment wherethe port is recessed in the stuffer tube and communicates to the stuffertube through a manifold having a series of orifices opening into thestuffer tube.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional side view of the single port embodimentwhere the port is elongated longitudinally.

FIG. 6 is also a cross sectional bottom view of this same embodiment.

FIG. 7 is also a cross sectional bottom view of this same elongatedport.

FIG. 8 is a schematic showing the preferred proportional pressure sensorcontroller plug control device of this invention used in the preferredtwo port embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a side view in cross section of the preferred recessed portswith manifold and orifices used in conjunction with the controllersystem in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional bottom view of the ports, manifold andorifices of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, yarn plug 1in stuffer tube 2 is formed by impinging yarn on the plug 1 from steamline 3. Details, not important to this invention, can be seen in theLongbottom U. S. Pat. No. 3,409,356. Steam flow is controlled by controlvalve 4. The end of yarn plug 1 is located between ports 5 and 6 whichhave jets of fluid such as air issuing from them supplied by air lines 9and 10. Air lines 9 and 10 communicate with pressure sensor switches 7and 8. Air is supplied to pressure sensor switches through air line 12and to lines 9 and 10 through air line 11. Air supply 19 supplies airfor line 13 and line 12 to the pressure sensor switches through pressureregulator 16. Air is supplied to air line 11 through regulator 17 fromair supply line 13. Air pressure is indicated on pressure gauges 14 and15. The electronic output of pressure sensor switches 7 and 8 istransmitted through electric lines 28 to control box 24. Control box 24is supplied electricity through 110 volt AC supply lines 26. Switch box25 can be used to switch to manual control or set for automatic controland is connected to control box 24 with electric lines 27. Control box24 is connected to servo drive 20 through pressure switches 21 and 22with electric lines 29. Servo drive 20 drives valve stem 18 to controlsteam pressure. Pressure switches 21 and 22 are connected by steam lines23 to steam line 3 to override signal from control box 24 if pressure insteam line 3 exceeds pre-set limits, i.e., becomes too high or too low.

Referring to FIG. 2, yarn plug 1 in stuffer tube 2 is formed byimpinging yarn on plug 1 from steam line 3 as shown in detail in theLongbottom patent, U. S. 3,409,356. Location of yarn plug 1 is sensed byfluidic proximity sensor 41 having port 47. Air is supplied through line50 to proximity sensor 41 and back pressure is sensed through line 49 bypressure switch 44. Air is supplied through line 51 to air solenoidvalve 46 through air line 52 and through pressure regulator 53 andpressure control 43 to the pressure switch 44 and through line 50 to theproximity sensor 41. Pressure sensor switch 44 output signal istransmitted through electric line 54 to delay timer 45 which in turnemits a control signal through electric line 55 to air solenoid valve 46which controls control air pressure through line 42 to steam controlvalve 4 thereby controlling opening and closing of control valve 4 tocontrol steam flow which in turn controls plug location of yarn plug 1.The delay timer 45 is necessary to prevent rapid fluctuation in signalsfrom sensor 41 causing fluttering valve action at control valve 4.

Referring to FIG. 3, yarn plug 1 in stuffer tube 2 is formed byimpinging yarn on plug 1 from steam line 3. Details of the texturing,not important to this invention, can be seen in the Longbottom U. S.Pat. No. 3,409,356. Steam flow is controlled by control valve 4. Yarnplug 1 is located in the area in front of port 35 which has a jet offluid such as air issuing from it supplied by air line 36. Air line 36has a reservoir 33 connected by line 34 to damp out surges. Backpressure through line 36 from port 35 due to changes in position of yarnplug 1 is sensed in pneumatic gauging device 31 (G. E. QualiguardControl Unit). The device functions as a pressure sensor switch.Pneumatic gauging device 31 is set to transmit separate signals whenback pressure exceeds upper and lower limits too high or too low. Thesesignals are transmitted through electric line 39 to servo motor 20 whichdrives valve stem 18 to open and close control valve 4 to control steamflow and in turn adjust position of steam plug 1. Pneumatic gaugingdevice 31 also communicates through electric line 38 to solenoid 30 tooperate on-off steam valve 40 to shut down or start up the unit. Alsopressure switch 32 connected to steam line 3 through line 37(A) and topneumatic gauging device 31 through line 37 can override signals fromthe pneumatic gauging device in case the steam pressure in line 3exceeds pre-set limits.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional side view of another embodiment of the oneport embodiment of this invention. Stuffer tube 2 has recessed port 60which communicates to stuffer tube 2 through manifold 62 and orifices63, 64 and 65.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional plan view having the same numberscorresponding to the same elements.

FIGS. 5 and 7 are cross sectional side and plan views of recessed port60 communicating through elongated port 61 to stuffer tube 2.

Referring to the preferred embodiment in FIG. 8, the yarn plug, notshown, but as seen in FIGS. l-3, in stuffer tube 2 is formed byimpinging yarn on the plug from steam line 3. Details can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,409,356. Steam flow is controlled by control valve 4. Theend of the yarn plug is located, by controlling steam flow by means ofthis invention, between ports 72 and 74. Manifold 73 opens on one sidewith ports 72 and 74 and on the yarn plug side communicates with saidstuffer tube through orifices 91 to 95 shown in detail FIGS. 9 and 10.Ports 72 and 74 are connected to air conduits 71 and 75 respectively.Conduit 71 for port 72 communicates with proportional pressure sensorcontroller 70 so that controller 70 senses variance in back pressure inmanifold 73. Air under constant low pressure under 1 pound per squareinch gauge, is supplied to manifold 73 through port 74 from line 75. Airfor the entire pneumatic control system is supplied through conduit 76.Pressure regulator valve 81 controls pressure at about 18 psig in line76. Pressure gauge indicates pressure downstream of valve 81 in line 76.Filter 89 filters out any dirt in supply air pressure to valve 81. Shutoff valve 87 can be used to stop air flow to the entire system. Pressureregulator valve 82 maintains a pressure of under 1 psig in conduit 75.Conduit 77 supplies high pressure air, 18

psig, to pneumatic controller 70. Conduit 78 and pressure regulatorvalve 83 supply an adjustable bias signal of 3 to 8 psig air tocontroller 70. As controller 70 senses variation in pressure in manifold73 through conduit 71 it controls the opening or position of steamcontrol valve 4 by sending proportional signals through line 79 andthree way valve 80 to the diaphragm of the pneumatically controlledsteam control valve 4. Three way valve 80 is necessary to keep steamcontrol valve 4 open when the plug is absent in stuffer tube 2 to keepstuffer tube 2 hot and avoid delay to reheat after process down-time.This is accomplished by connecting three way valve 80, which is asolenoid, electrically by lines 85 to a motor on a driven roll, notshown, in the process. When the motor is not energized, three way valve80 is switched to conduit 86 and away from controller output conduit 72.Pressure regulator valve 84 maintains constant pressure downstream inline 86 set to provide appropriate pressure on diaphram of steam controlvalve 4 to keep it open enough to keep stuffer tube 2 hot. To shut downthe steam line shut off valve 88 is used. The various plug-ins P aremeans supplied to permit plugging in of a pressure gauge assembly tomeasure pressure in lines 71, 75, 78 and 79.

Example Conditions of Example 1 of U. S. Pat. No. 3,409,356 toLongbottom were followed with an improved steam jet and stuffer tubehaving the two port embodiment of this invention to control yarn pluglocation. The yarn plug was successfully controlled between ports. Theports were 0.32 inch apart longitudinally. The nearest port to thestuffer tube discharge end was three-eighths inch from end to center ofport. The ports were supplied air at a gauge pressure of inches ofwater.

We claim:

1. In a process for texturing yarn by directing heated yarn in a currentof heated fluid against a yarn plug in a stuffer tube and dischargingsaid yarn, the improvement comprising controlling the location of theend of said yarn plug at the discharge end of said stuffer tube bysensing the plug end location with at least one jet of fluid issuingfrom a port near the discharge end of said stuffer tube, at least one ofsaid ports communicating with a pressure sensor controller whichactuates a control valve which controls flow of said heated fluid.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the heated fluid is steam.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein the jet of fluid is an air jet.

4. Apparatus for controlling the location of a plug of textured yarnnear the discharge end of a stuffer tube, said yarn being textured bydirecting heated yarn in a current of heated fluid against said yarnplug in said stuffer tube and discharging said yarn comprising a stuffertube having at least one port, said port issuing a jet of fluid, saidport communicating with a pressure sensor controller, so that when theyarn plug is located to be impinged by said jet of fluid issuing fromsaid port, the resulting back pressure can be sensed,

means to transmit said output from said pressure sensor controller toactuate a flow control means in said heated fluid supply means, so thatsaid yarn plug end is located adjacent said port in said stuffer tube bycontrolling flow of said heated fluid supply means responsive to backpressure of said fluid jet issuing from said port.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the port is elongatedlongitudinally.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein there are between two and fivelongitudinally spaced ports located near the discharge end of saidstuffer tube.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said ports are closely adjacent.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein there are two ports located near thedischarge end of said stuffer tube.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said port is located beyond the endof said stuffer tube.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the ports are recessed in saidstuffer tube and communicate with said stuffer tube through a manifoldhaving a series of orifices opening into said stuffer tube.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said controller is a fluidicamplifier.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said output of said controller isthrough a three-way valve connected to said texturing process so as tooverride said output with a constant signal to open said flow controlmeans enough to keep said stuffer tube hot when said process is notoperating.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said amplifier has fixed gain,adjustable, and rate controlled output relay.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said amplifier controllermaintains a minimum opening of the fluid control valve at absence ofplug in said stuffer tube.

1. In a process for texturing yarn by directing heated yarn in a currentof heated fluid against a yarn plug in a stuffer tube and dischargingsaid yarn, the improvement comprising controlling the location of theend of said yarn plug at the discharge end of said stuffer tube bysensing the plug end location with at least one jet of fluid issuingfrom a port near the discharge end of said stuffer tube, at least one ofsaid ports communicating with a pressure sensor controller whichactuates a control valve which controls flow of said heated fluid. 2.The process of claim 1 wherein the heated fluid is steam.
 3. The processof claim 1 wherein the jet of fluid is an air jet.
 4. Apparatus forcontrolling the location of a plug of textured yarn near the dischargeend of a stuffer tube, said yarn being textured by directing heated yarnin a current of heated fluid against said yarn plug in said stuffer tubeand discharging said yarn comprising a stuffer tube having at least oneport, said port issuing a jet of fluid, said port communicating with apressure sensor controller, so that when the yarn plug is located to beimpinged by said jet of fluid issuing from said port, the resulting backpressure can be sensed, means to transmit said output from said pressuresensor controller to actuate a flow control means in said heated fluidsupply means, so that said yarn plug end is located adjacent said portin said stuffer tube by controlling flow of said heated fluid supplymeans responsive to back pressure of said fluid jet issuing from saidport.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the port is elongatedlongitudinally.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein there are betweentwo and five longitudinally spaced ports located near the discharge endof said stuffer tube.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said ports areclosely adjacent.
 8. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein there are twoports located near the discharge end of said stuffer tube.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8 wherein said port is located beyond the end of saidstuffer tube.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the ports arerecessed in said stuffer tube and communicate with said stuffer tubethrough a manifold having a series of orifices opening into said stuffertube.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said controller is a fluidicamplifier.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said output of saidcontroller is through a three-way valve connected to said texturingprocess so as to override said output with a constant signal to opensaid flow control means enough to keep said stuffer tube hot when saidprocess is not operating.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein saidamplifier has fixed gain, adjustable, and rate controlled output relay.14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said amplifier controllermaintains a minimum opening of the fluid control valve at absence ofplug in said stuffer tube.